AI Work Myth: Redirecting Human Effort Towards Strategic Value

Ryan Frederick | May 5th, 2025 | Dublin, OH

AI Work Myth:

A pervasive narrative around artificial intelligence and automation suggests that as AI handles routine, repetitive tasks, people will finally have the freedom to tackle important work they've previously neglected. While optimistic, this idea fundamentally misunderstands human nature, organizational priorities, and the real value AI can provide.

If tasks were genuinely critical and of high value, they'd already be prioritized and accomplished—AI or not. Work that has consistently been deprioritized is usually so for good reason: it simply isn't impactful or essential enough. Assuming AI will free people to perform previously neglected tasks inadvertently directs human effort toward low-value activities, diminishing their contributions rather than enhancing them.

The genuine promise of AI lies in freeing people not to engage in neglected work, but to invest more deeply in creative, strategic, and impactful activities that drive real value. Rather than redirecting attention toward tasks previously deemed unworthy of limited human resources, organizations must intentionally leverage AI to amplify human creativity, strategic thinking, and innovation. This approach respects and elevates human capability, ensuring people feel empowered, valued, and essential.

Suppose we buy into the false narrative that AI frees people up for overlooked, low-priority tasks. In that case, we risk squandering AI's true potential. Worse, it signals to employees that their time is most valuable when spent on tasks of minimal importance. Instead, let's recognize AI's real value: empowering people to focus exclusively on high-impact, strategic initiatives that truly matter.

At Transform Labs, we advise clients to integrate AI not as a replacement but as an amplifier of human capability and creativity. When people are elevated rather than redirected, organizations don't just automate—they transform.

Ryan Frederick

Ryan Frederick is a seasoned entrepreneur, author, speaker, and investor, renowned for his expertise at the intersection of technology and its profound effects on global economics, politics, labor, and society. As a Principal at Transform Labs, a technology advising firm, Ryan leverages his extensive background technology and business strategy to assist organizations in navigating the complexities of a new era of immense technical automation.

With a career that began in software development, Ryan possesses a unique blend of technical proficiency and business insight. This combination has enabled him to successfully establish and expand multiple companies, providing him with firsthand experience in the challenges and opportunities presented by technological innovation. His entrepreneurial journey has also led him to become an active angel investor and a mentor to startups and corporate innovation leaders, further solidifying his role as a catalyst for technological advancement in the business world.

Ryan is the author of two influential books: "The Founder's Manual: A Guidebook for Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur," which offers insights into product creation and company building, and "Sell Naked: And Other Advice for Growing and Managing Services Firms," focusing on strategies for service-based businesses.

As a thought leader and speaker, Ryan frequently shares his perspectives on how emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, are reshaping various facets of society. In his writings, he discusses the macro-level changes driven by AI, including its impact on economic models, labor dynamics, and geopolitical stability. Ryan emphasizes that the rapid adoption of AI and automation necessitates a reevaluation of traditional economic structures and poses both challenges and opportunities for global societies.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Ryan is committed to workforce development and social impact. He founded i.c.stars, a non-profit program dedicated to training under-employed adults in digital skills, demonstrating his dedication to bridging the digital divide and fostering inclusive growth in the tech industry.

Ryan's deep understanding of the interplay between technology and societal structures, combined with his practical experience in business and innovation, positions him as a compelling speaker on the transformative effects of technology on global economics, politics, labor, and society.